Pros and cons of different social media applications

Social media has changed the way we communicate, do business, get our daily news fix and so much more. But is it really all it's cracked up to be?

That depends on who you talk to and how you're using it. A site like Facebook could serve as an opportunistic launching pad for a new business owner, or it could be an inescapable source of negative peer pressure for a young teen. There are pros and cons to everything in life — and that includes our social networking habits.

Here are some of the major pros and cons that most people are familiar with. As you go through them, ask yourself how you can take more advantage of the pros while minimizing the cons whenever you decide to check out your favorite social networks.

Pros of Social Networking:

Ability to connect to other people all over the world

Easy and instant communication

Real-time news and information discovery

Great opportunities for business owners

General fun and enjoyment

Cons of Social Networking

Information overwhelm

Privacy issues

Social peer pressure and cyber bullying

Online interaction substitution for offline interaction

Distraction and procrastination